Mixed Greens & Two Cheese Tart

So here it is! My first recipe reaching you from across the Tasman. I love a good pie and this is the perfect healthy alternative served with green beans and a fresh green salad. Something I miss terribly here is Oz is having a veggie garden at my fingertips and popping out to grab a handful of this and that. Unfortunately due to the heat you can’t grow anything without shade!

prep time: 30mins
cooking time: 30mins
serves: 4-6

filling
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 spring onions
2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground mixed spice
4 cups packed silverbeet leaves, thinly sliced
2 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
finely grated zest 1 lemon
3/4 cup roughly chopped herbs
(mint, basil, dill, parsley)
sea salt & group pepper

to assemble
5 sheets filo pastry
melted butter or cooking spray
sesame seeds
lightly greased loose bottom flan tin

Preheat oven to 180 degrees

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the spring onions, garlic and mixed spice for 2 minutes. Add the silverbeet leaves and turn to wilt then add the spinach and stir until wilted. Tip into a large sieve or colander and drain for 20 minutes.

While the greens are draining, whisk the eggs in a large bowl and season generously. Stir in the cottage and cheddar cheeses, lemon zest and herbs then the greens.

To assemble: Brush one sheet of pastry with butter or booking spray and place in the tin, gently pressing it against the sides. Continue with the remaining pastry, placing each sheet slightly off centre from the last and letting the excess hang down and sides of the tin.

Tip the filling into the tart. Gently lift and fold the overhanging pastry over the top of the filling but leave the middle uncovered. Brush the pastry edges with butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the filling is set and the top is golden. Leave the tart in the tin for at least 10 minutes before removing, or cut and serve straight from the tart tin. Serve warm or at room temperature.

If your cooking for only yourself and your partner, a cute alternative is pouring mixture into mini flan tins or Texas muffin tins to make mini pies. They freeze well, so perfect for lunches!